VIDEO: Hawaii Volcano Park celebrates 32nd cultural festival

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii: The 32nd Annual Cultural Festival was held at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Satruday.

Thousands enjoyed a free day at the park on the scenic grounds of the Kahua Hula at Ka‘auea, near the Volcano Art Center. The park’s traditional hula platform overlooks Pele at the active Halemaumau crater vent, and the crisp Volcano weather was at its best for the festivities.

This year the Cultural Festival promoted the importance and understanding of hula kahiko, traditional arts and crafts, and contemporary Hawaiian music.

Halau Ha’a Kea ‘O Akala under the direction of kumu hula Paul Neves, performed for an enthralled audience seated around the Kahua Hula.

The festival’s theme this year is ‘A‘ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka hâlau ho‘okahi, a favorite saying of many on the island which means “Not all knowledge is learned in one school.”

And there was certainly plenty of knowledge on display at this event. Lau hala weaving, lei making, even laau lapaau demonstrations – there was plenty to learn at this festival.

The National Park Service says this event honors, preserves and perpetuates Hawaiian culture and supports Hawaiian programs, practitioners, hâlau and musicians.